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-Press Release, Granville County Public Schools

At its regularly scheduled meeting on Monday, September 14, 2020, the Granville County Board of Education voted 5-2 to return to school this fall with a staggered, gradual entry under Plan B.

The Board received detailed information from senior staff on the readiness of the district to receive students. Also participating in the presentation were Lisa Harrison, Health Director of GVPH, and Dr. Shauna Guthrie, Medical Director of GVPH. The information presented included facts about the following: organizational readiness of the district; COVID data from the local Health Department and NCDHHS; student, parent and educator survey data; and, information about emerging research related to COVID.

The exact plan for when and how students will return was also approved by the Board. For those students whose parents did not commit to full virtual learning for the first semester, the 2-step process for a gradual, staggered return to school begins on September 28, 2020. Pre-Kindergarten, Kindergarten and students who receive special education services in a separate setting will return to school on September 28. All other grade levels will return on October 12.

For the first step, students will report to school divided into FOUR groups, each group attending school one day a week. Then, in as soon as two weeks, these same students will transition and begin to report to school divided into TWO groups, with each group attending school two days a week.

The chart below lists target dates and student groupings for a staggered, gradual return.

Families will begin to receive information about their child’s particular schedule in the coming days. Please be sure to check in regularly with your child’s teachers for important information that may be shared during this transition from Plan C to Plan B.

During this transition time back into our schools, it is very important for families to remember that new safety practices and procedures will be in place. All students and staff will be screened every time they enter GCPS campuses. Anyone with COVID-like symptoms will not be allowed in school. Also, face masks are required at all times while on GCPS property.

A supply of five reusable, cloth face masks will be provided to each student. Families are responsible for making sure students have a clean face covering each day. Face mask breaks will be provided during the school day. Also, every person must maintain proper social distancing while on school property. A minimum of 6’ should be maintained at all times.

Families and students will note many changes in how school ‘looks’ and ‘feels’ when they arrive back. First, no visitors will be allowed on any campuses unless it is an emergency. Movement in and around the school will be limited and structured. Meals will be served in the classrooms. On days when students are not in school, curbside and remote site meal service will continue. All meals are free to students aged 3-18 until December 31.

Students will be also asked to wash hands or use hand sanitizer more frequently. Finally, students who ride the school bus will be required to present an “attestation” form prior to boarding the bus. This form, which will be provided by schools, should be signed by a parent or guardian each day indicating that the child is symptom-free and has not had exposure to COVID.

Students will be socially distanced while riding on the bus; however, family members will be allowed to sit together. Every student will be screened each day upon arrival at school after getting off the bus. All car riders will be screened before being allowed to exit their vehicles. All of these practices will be new to students, parents and staff, so please be patient and be sure to follow all processes as they will be strictly enforced.

GCPS is very excited to have students return to school this fall. We need everyone’s support to help ensure the process is safe and healthy for everyone. Your cooperation and communication will be very important to this process. Please be sure to reach out to your child’s school with any questions or concerns. Together, we can make this work!